2019 Emmy Picks: Drama

I have some time this summer, so I’m resurrecting this series where I try to predict who will be the nominees at this year’s Emmy Awards. With a lot of last year’s nominees ineligible, in theory it will be easy to predict who the Academy will make room for. But it probably won’t, especially in loaded categories like Actress in a Drama Series. Check out my picks for the Drama categories below.

The skinny: With The Americans over and everyone else delayed or getting out of Game of Thrones‘ way, this category is wide open. There should be plenty of room for last year’s favorites that missed the cut here (Killing Eve, Ozark) and new shows (Homecoming, Succession), plus Better Call Saul, which was ineligible last year. While there’s plenty of love for Pose and Bodyguard, I think the power of HBO and Amazon will hold those new shows back. But of course, none of this matters, because Game of Thrones is winning yet again.

The skinny: I genuinely have no idea who might win this year, but I’m pretty confident in this line-up. I think Ventimiglia’s reduced role this season means he’ll lose his slot, leaving room for newbies like Richard Madden and Billy Porter.

The skinny: Another wide-open race, which means Jodie Comer and Mandy Moore will finally get their due. But House of Cards‘ limp finish means Robin Wright is toast. Now can it be a tie between Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh?

The skinny: It is well past time for Banks to get his, which means Dinklage is bound to win once again. (To be fair, no above-the-line talent involved in this season of Game of Thrones deserves an Emmy.) I think the Succession bros cancel each other out, but Macfadyen has the showiest role and thus might sneak in ahead of Justin Hartley.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Julia Garner, Ozark
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
Chrissy Metz, This Is Us
Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul
Sophie Turner, Game of Thrones
Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones

The skinny: They’re really gonna nominate three ladies for Game of Thrones and one of them isn’t going to be Gwendoline Christie. What a damn shame. At least Rhea Seehorn will finally get a long overdue nod. Almost the entire slate will be new this year, which will hopefully keep this category unpredictable.

The skinny: Feeling pretty confident in this line-up, though of course you could sub in any Better Call Saul episode. I can’t recall ever seeing a show submit a post-deadline episode in an off-cycle year like The Handmaid’s Tale is doing, so I doubt that will pay off.